Asclepias plant named ‘Beatrix’

ABSTRACT

A distinct cultivar of Asclepias plant named ‘Beatrix’, characterized by its large orange flowers; uniform flowering within the inflorescence; tolerance to low light conditions; attractive leaves and flower buds; and good post-production longevity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofAsclepias plant, botanically known as Asclepias L., and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name Beatrix.

The new Asclepias is a product of a planned breeding program conductedby the Inventor in Lisse, The Netherlands. The new Asclepias originatedfrom a cross made by the Inventor of two unidentified selections ofAsclepias L.. The new Asclepias was selected on the basis of its flowercolor, large flower size and uniform flowering.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal cuttings taken atLisse, The Netherlands, has shown that the unique features of this newAsclepias are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the cultivar Beatrix have not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, light intensity,daylength, and fertility level without, however, any variance ingenotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Beatrix’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘Beatrix’ as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Large orange flowers.

2. Uniform flowering within the inflorescence.

3. Tolerant to low light conditions.

4. Attractive leaves and flower buds.

5. Good post-production longevity.

Plants of the cultivar Beatrix can be compared to plants of the cultivarTuberosa, not patented. However in side-by-side comparisons conducted inLisse, The Netherlands, plants of the cultivar Beatrix differed fromplants of the cultivar Tuberosa in the following characteristics:

1. Plants of the new Asclepias have larger flowers and largerinflorescences than plants of the cultivar Tuberosa.

2. Plants of the new Asclepias flower more uniformly than plants of thecultivar Tuberosa.

3. Plants of the new Asclepias are more tolerant to low light conditionsthan plants of the cultivar Tuberosa.

4. Plants of the new Asclepias have larger leaves than plants of thecultivar Tuberosa.

5. Plants of the new Asclepias have better post-production longevitythan plants of the cultivar Tuberosa.

Plants of the cultivar Beatrix can be compared to plants of the cultivarIncarnata, not patented. However in side-by-side comparisons conductedin Lisse, The Netherlands, plants of the cultivar Beatrix differed fromplants of the cultivar Incarnata in the following characteristics:

1. Plants of the new Asclepias have large orange-colored flowers whereasplants of the cultivar Incarnata have small purple and white-coloredflowers.

2. Plants of the new Asclepias have larger inflorescences than plants ofthe cultivar Incarnata.

3. Plants of the new Asclepias flower more uniformly than plants of thecultivar Incarnata.

4. Plants of the new Asclepias are more tolerant to low light conditionsthan plants of the cultivar Incarnata.

5. Plants of the new Asclepias have better post-production longevitythan plants of the cultivar Incarnata.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new cultivar, showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which more accurately describe the actualcolors of the new Asclepias.

The photograph at the top of the sheet comprises a side perspective viewof typical cut flowering stems of ‘Beatrix’.

The photograph at the bottom of the sheet comprises a close-up views oftypical flower buds, open flowers and leaves of ‘Beatrix’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following observations, measurements and values describe plants ofthe new cultivar grown as cut flowers in Lisse, The Netherlands duringthe late summer under conditions which closely approximate commercialproduction practice in a glass-covered greenhouse during the spring andsummer with day temperatures ranging from 25 to 30° C. and minimum nighttemperatures of 18° C. Plants used for the description were about fivemonths old.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance areused.

Botanical classification: Asclepias L. cultivar Beatrix.

Parentage:

Female parent.—Unidentified selection of Asclepias L.

Male parent.—Unidentified selection of Asclepias L.

Propagation:

Type cutting.—Cuttings.

Root description.—Fine, fibrous.

Plant description:

Form.—Upright flowering perennial.

Usage.—Appropriate for cut flowers.

Vigor.—Moderate.

Plant height.—About 65 cm.

Plant width.—About 40 cm.

Cut flower length.—About 1.5 meters.

Lateral branches.—Diameter: About 6 mm. Internode length: About 9 cm.Strength: Flexible, but strong. Texture: Very fine short hairs. Color:146A to 146B.

Foliage description.—Leaves simple, generally symmetrical and longpersisting. Leaf arrangement opposite. Quantity per lateral branch:Typically more than 40; dense bushy plants. Length: About 16.25 cm.Width: About 5.5 cm. Shape: Lanceolate. Apex: Acute to acuminate. Base:Obtuse. Margin: Entire. Texture: Leathery; very fine short hairs, denseron lower surface. Color: Young foliage, upper surface: Darker than 146A.Young foliage, lower surface: 146A. Mature foliage, upper surface: Closeto 147A. Mature foliage, lower surface: 146A to 146B. Petiole: Length:About 7.5 mm. Diameter: About 4 mm. Color: Slightly lighter than 146D.

Flower description:

Flower type and habit.—Large single orange flowers arranged in axillaryumbels. Flowers face upright. Flowers persistent. Flowering continuous.

Natural flowering season.—Spring through fall.

Inflorescence height.—About 5 cm.

Inflorescence diameter.—About 8.5 cm.

Number of open flowers per umbel.—About 6.

Number of umbels per flowering stem.—About 4 or 5.

Fragrance.—Flowers, none detected; foliage, leather-like odor.

Flower longevity as a cut flower.—About 9 days without silverthiosulfate treatment.

Flower size.—About 3.9 by 3.9 cm.

Flower height (depth).—About 1.3 cm.

Flower arrangement/appearance.—Bisexual; calyx five-lobed subtending5-lobed corolla; staminal corona, single whorl, five-lobed, cuculate,each lobe with a horn.

Petals.—Length: About 1.9 cm. Diameter: About 7 mm. Shape: Elliptic.Apex: Acute to acuminate. Margin: Entire. Texture: Smooth. Color: Openedflower, upper surface: Center, 28A; 169B towards margin and apex. Fadingto 169B to 169C. Opened flower, lower surface: 19A.

Sepals.—Length: About 1.2 cm. Diameter: About 2 mm. Shape: Linear. Apex:Acuminate. Margin: Entire. Texture: Pubescent. Color: Upper surface:144A to 144B. Lower surface: 144A.

Corona.—Length: About 7.5 mm. Diameter: About 3 mm. Texture: Waxy.Color: 28A fading to yellow, 14A.

Peduncle.—Strength: Strong. Angle: Upright. Length: About 2.75 cm aboveleaves to pedicels. Diameter: About 3 mm. Color: 144A to 146A.

Pedicel.—Strength: Strong. Angle: About 30 to 45° to vertical. Length:About 3 cm. Diameter: About 1.5 mm. Color: 144A.

Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Stamen number: About five with two antherseach. Anther shape: Oblong, winged. Anther length: About 1.5 mm. Anthercolor: 146A. Pollen amount: Not observed. Pistils: Two superior ovarieswith one common stigma.

Seed.—Seed production has not been observed.

Disease resistance: Resistance to pathogens common to Asclepias has notbeen observed.

Low light tolerance: Plants of the new Asclepias will continue to flowerunder periods of low light in the autumn. In Northwestern Europe,typically flower buds of plants of other known cultivars of Asclepias L.will abscise about mid-September when light levels decrease, howeverflower buds of the new Asclepias do not abscise until the first orsecond week of October.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Asclepias plant named‘Beatrix’, as illustrated and described.